Trim panel assembly for a motor vehicle

ABSTRACT

A B-pillar is provided with energy absorbing material extending the entire length of the interior of the pillar. Along the upper end of the B-pillar, an area is provided for framing the mounting arrangement of the safety restraint system. A slot extends longitudinally along the upper end of the B-pillar and frames a trim panel. The trim panel is provided with two openings, one is a through bore for the D ring receiving the mounting webbing and the other is a through bore for receiving an indexing latch for moving the seat belt webbing and D ring along the slot. The trim panel slides along a track extending on both sides of the slot and the entire length of the slot within the interior of the B-panel. The trim panel includes energy absorbing material along its lower end below the openings framing the safety restraint system. The area above the openings is generally flat and does not contain any energy absorbing material. This allows the trim panel to glide along the slot when the occupant indexes the seat belt in proper alignment to their shoulder height. To provide energy absorbing material within the flat area of the trim panel, a bridge of such material extends from one side of the B-pillar across and above the slot to the other side of the B-pillar. The energy absorbing material creates a bridged area for the trim panel to glide underneath when the seat belt is indexed to the upper slot area.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention

[0002] The present invention generally relates to safety restraints formotor vehicles. More particularly, the present invention relates to anenergy absorbing trim panel assembly for a B-pillar of a motor vehicle.

[0003] 2. Discussion

[0004] Vehicle occupant restraint systems having a seat belt webbing anda guide for guiding the seat belt webbing are well known in the art. Inknown occupant restraint systems, a seat belt webbing guide, commonlyreferred to as a “D” ring, assists in positioning a shoulder beltportion of the seat belt diagonally across a vehicle occupant. In manyapplications, the D ring is vertically adjustable to facilitate properlocation of the shoulder belt portion.

[0005] Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) requirements whichbegan gradual introduction with the 1999 model year specify maximum headinjury criteria for various points along the vehicle's B-pillar. One ofthe specific points on the B-pillar that must satisfy the FMVSS is theupper end of the B-pillar where the vehicle occupant's head may impactthe B-pillar sideways at and above the upper vertical position of theseat belt D ring. The FMVSS 201 countermeasure requires the vehicleoccupant's head impact energy absorption performance to exceed previouslevels, thereby minimizing possible head injury to the occupant. Thesenew standards require modification to the B-pillar where improvement isrequired in the vehicle area above the bottom of the glass, or vehiclebeltline.

[0006] A common technique for adding energy absorbing material to theoutlined area is simply modifying the existing B-pillar by mounting thematerial on the metal structural support surface. U.S. Pat. No.6,036,227 to Lin et al. teaches this typical modification. While suchadditions have proven to be acceptable for their intended purpose, theyare not aesthetically pleasing. Furthermore, in certain applicationsknown arrangements may not provide sufficient energy absorbing materialfor occupant's of all sizes.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0007] It is therefore an object of this invention to provide a trimpanel assembly including an energy absorbing material in compliance withFMVSS 201 standards that extends the entire region above the beltline.

[0008] It is another object of this invention to provide anaesthetically pleasing B-pillar supporting a safety restraint system inconjunction with energy absorbing material.

[0009] In a preferred form of the present invention, a B-pillar isprovided with energy absorbing material extending the entire length ofthe interior of the pillar. Along the upper end of the B-pillar, an areais provided for framing the mounting arrangement of the safety restraintsystem. Specifically, a slot extends longitudinally along the upper endof the B-pillar and frames a trim panel. The trim panel is provided withtwo openings, one is a through bore for the D ring receiving themounting webbing and the other is a through bore for receiving anindexing latch for moving the seat belt webbing and D ring along theslot.

[0010] The trim panel slides along a track extending on both sides ofthe slot and the entire length of the slot within the interior of theB-panel. As with the B-pillar, the trim panel includes energy absorbingmaterial along its lower end below the openings framing the safetyrestraint system. The area above the openings is generally flat and doesnot contain any energy absorbing material. This allows the trim panel toglide along the slot when the occupant indexes the seat belt in properalignment to their shoulder height.

[0011] To provide energy absorbing material within the flat area of thetrim panel, a bridge of such material extends from one side of theB-pillar across and above the slot to the other side of the B-pillar.The energy absorbing material creates a bridged area for the trim panelto glide underneath when the seat belt is indexed to the upper slotarea. By providing the material bridge, the preferred embodiment of thepresent invention is able to increase the impact absorption material toan average thickness of 15.0-20.0 mm. This provides a countermeasure incompliance with the 201 head impact requirements. Additionally, the trimpanel provides an aesthetically pleasing outer cover to the safetyrestraint system. When the occupant indexes the seat belt webbing alongthe slot, the trim panel glides with the D ring providing a congruouscover within the slotted area of the B-pillar.

[0012] Additional benefits and advantages of the present invention willbecome apparent to those skilled in the art to which this inventionpertains from reading the subsequent description of the preferredembodiment in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0013]FIG. 1 is an environmental view of the B-pillar area of anautomobile interior illustrating a preferred embodiment of the presentinvention.

[0014]FIG. 2 is a perspective front view of the B-pillar of the presentinvention.

[0015]FIG. 3 is a perspective rear view of the B-pillar of the presentinvention.

[0016]FIG. 4 is a rear view showing the trim panel area in detail.

[0017]FIG. 5 is a cross sectional view of the trim panel taken alonglines 5-5 of FIG. 4.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0018] With reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, a vehicle 10 has a passengercompartment 12 partially defined by a roof 14, a B-pillar 16 and a sidewindow area 18. The exterior 20 of B-pillar 16 is preferably formed of atrim material to match the interior of the passenger compartment 12.

[0019] B-pillar 16 preferably extends the length of the passengercompartment 12 from the roof 14 past the side window area 18 to thefloor of the vehicle 10. At the upper end 22 of the B-pillar 16 is anelongated slot 24. The slot 24 is covered by a movable trim panel 26.The trim panel 26 is preferably formed of the same trim material as theB-pillar. The trim panel 26 frames the safety restraint system 28 and isprovided with two openings 30,32 to support the D ring 34 and indexinglatch 36, respectively, within the slot 24 vertically as indicated bythe arrow in FIG. 2. The trim panel 26 travels along the slot 24 when avehicle occupant indexes the safety restraint system 28 to a preferredlocation along the slot 24. The safety restraint system 28 is mounted tothe vehicle through a standard mounting system. In this way, the trimpanel 26 continuously covers the slot 24 and provides an aesthetic coverfor the slot 24. The slot 24 and framing area 38 (see FIGS. 2, 4 and 5)of the trim panel 26 are formed with rounded edges 40,42 to protect andprevent the occupant from hitting any sharp edges upon impacting theB-pillar 16.

[0020] With reference now to FIGS. 2-5, the interior 44 of the B-pillar16 is generally shown having energy absorbing material 46 extendingalong the lower half 48 of the B-pillar 16. The energy absorbingmaterial extends upward to the upper half 50 of the B-pillar 16 alongboth sides 52,54 of the slot 24.

[0021] A set of tracks 56 extends along either side 52,54 of the slot 24and provides guidance to the trim panel 26 when the safety restraintsystem 28 is indexed to a preferred position along the slot 24. The back58 of the trim panel 26 also includes energy absorbing material alongthe lower half 60 below the framing area 38. Stops 62 are provided atthe end 64 of trim panel 26 on either side 52,54 of slot 24. These stops62 determine the uppermost position for indexing the safety restraintsystem 28 within the slot 24.

[0022] Both the framing area 38 and upper half 66 of the trim panel back58 are free from energy absorbing material. When the trim panel 26travels upwardly along the tracks 56 and slot 24, the upper half 66 ofthe trim panel 26 slides under a bridge 68 of energy absorbing materialspanning across the edges 38 of B-pillar 16. This bridge 68 preferablyprovides 15.0-20.0 mm of energy absorbing material in compliance with201 head impact requirements established by the FMVSS. Alternatively,when the trim panel 26 is indexed to its lower position, the energyabsorbing material 46 extending along the lower half 60 of B-pillar 16and upper clasp 70 stops travel within the slot 24. Clasps 70,72,74, and76 show the preferred method of attaching the B-pillar 16 to the vehicle10.

[0023] While the invention has been described in the specification andillustrated in the drawings with reference to a preferred embodiment, itwill be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes maybe made and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof withoutdeparting from the scope of the invention as defined in the claims. Inaddition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situationor material to the teachings of the invention without departing from theessential scope thereof. Therefore, it is intended that the inventionnot be limited to the particular embodiment illustrated by the drawingsand described in the specification as the best mode presentlycontemplated for carrying out this invention, but that the inventionwill include any embodiments falling within the description of theappended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A B-pillar for use in combination with a safetyrestraint system moveable between an upper and lower position withinsaid B-pillar, said B-pillar comprising: a slot extending along theupper end of said B-pillar and defining said upper and said lowerpositions of said safety restraint system; and an energy absorbingsurface bridging said safety restraint system when said safety restraintsystem is in said upper position within said slot.
 2. The B-pillar ofclaim 1, further comprising a track extending the length of said slotalong the interior of said B-pillar.
 3. The slot of claim 2, furthercomprising a slider arm guided within said track and comprising a framefor indexing said safety restraint system between said upper and lowerpositions.
 4. The slider arm of claim 3, further comprising an energyabsorbing surface along the lower end of said slider arm.
 5. The sliderarm of claim 3, further comprising a stop at the lower end of saidslider for stopping said slider within said track at said upperposition.
 6. The slider arm of claim 5, wherein said arm slides undersaid bridge formed of said energy absorbing material when said sliderarm is in said upper position.
 7. A B-pillar providing impact protectionfor a vehicle occupant's head and used in combination with a safetyrestraint system, said B-pillar comprising: a slot extending along theupper end of said B-pillar; a trim panel slidable along the length ofsaid slot for adjusting said safety restraint system between an upperand a lower position; and an energy absorbing surface providing saidimpact protection and extending along the interior of said B-panel andbridging said trim panel when said safety restraint system is in saidupper position within said slot.
 8. The B-pillar of claim 7, furthercomprising a track extending the length of said slot along the interiorof said B-pillar for guiding said trim panel between said upper andlower positions.
 9. The trim panel of claim 7, further comprising anenergy absorbing surface along the lower end of said trim panel.
 10. Thetrim panel of claim 9, further comprising a stop at the lower end ofsaid trim panel for stopping said trim panel within said track at saidupper position.
 11. The trim panel of claim 7, wherein said trim panelslides under said bridge formed of said energy absorbing material whensaid trim panel is in said upper position.
 12. The B-pillar of claim 7,further comprising energy absorbing material extending along the lowerend of said B-pillar, said energy absorbing material creating a stop forsaid trim panel when said trim panel is in said lower position.
 13. AB-pillar providing impact protection for a vehicle occupant's head andused in combination with a safety restraint system, said B-pillarcomprising: an energy absorbing surface providing said impact protectionand extending along the interior of said B-panel; and a slot within theupper end of the B-pillar and supporting a trim panel affixed to saidsafety restraint system, said trim panel slidable between an uppermostand lowermost position within said slot; said energy absorbing surfacearea bridging said trim panel when said trim panel is in said uppermostposition.
 14. The B-pillar of claim 13, further comprising a trackextending the length of said slot along the interior of said B-pillarfor guiding said trim panel between said upper and lower positions. 15.The trim panel of claim 13, further comprising an energy absorbingsurface along the lower end of said trim panel.
 16. The trim panel ofclaim 14, further comprising a stop at the lower end of said trim panelfor stopping said trim panel within said track at said upper position.17. The trim panel of claim 13, wherein said trim panel slides undersaid bridge formed of said energy absorbing material when said trimpanel is in said upper position.
 18. The B-pillar of claim 13, furthercomprising energy absorbing material extending along the lower end ofsaid B-pillar, said energy absorbing material creating a stop for saidtrim panel when said trim panel is in said lower position.
 19. AB-pillar providing impact protection for a vehicle occupant's head andused in combination with a safety restraint system moveable between anupper and lower position within said B-pillar, said B-pillar comprising:an energy absorbing surface bridging said safety restraint system whensaid safety restraint system is in said upper position.
 20. A B-pillarproviding impact protection for a vehicle occupant's head and used incombination with a safety restraint system, said B-pillar comprising: aslot within the upper end of the B-pillar and supporting a trim panelaffixed to said safety restraint system, said trim panel slidablebetween an uppermost and lowermost position within said slot; saidenergy absorbing surface area bridging said trim panel when said trimpanel is in said uppermost position.